New York Red Bulls add trio to initial 2015 roster

HARRISON, N.J. (March 5, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls announced today the addition of three players. The Red Bulls have signed 2015 third-round pick Shawn McLaws and Canadian international Karl Ouimette, pending approval of Ouimette’s p-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate. New York has also completed the transfer of Cameroonian striker Anatole Abang from Rainbow FC, pending approval of ITC.

Per league rules, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We’re excited about adding three quality young players to our team,” said Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis. “All three have done well in preseason, and we think they can add depth and value to our roster if they continue to develop and take strides forward.”

New York selected McLaws 59th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of Coastal Carolina University. The Edmond, Oklahoma native played four seasons at CCU, ending his collegiate career with a 73-18-3 record, three Big South regular season titles and two tournament championships.

As a senior, the defender played in 21 of the Chanticleer’s 23 games, leading his squad to a 16-6-1 record, tied for most wins in the nation. Last month, he was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career. McLaws also received Soccer America All-American third team honors. His 89 matches played are second-most in program history, and his 84 starts rank third.

Ouimette was signed by the Montreal Impact in 2012 as the organization’s first Homegrown player. He made two appearances for Jesse Marsch’s Impact team in 2012. The Repentigny, Quebec native has 20 league appearances, including 15 starts and one goal, over the last three seasons.

Ouimette, a defender who has played both center back and left back, earned his seventh and eight caps for the Canadian Men’s National Team this January in a friendly series against Iceland.

“I’m pleased by what we’ve seen from Shawn, Karl and Abang,” said Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch. “These three guys entered camp with very different playing backgrounds, but they’ve all progressed well and earned a spot. We think that they have potential and by keeping them in our environment and around our club they will continue to grow as players and down the line be a part of what we are building here.”

Abang, an 18-year-old Cameroonian striker, joins New York from Rainbow FC.

The 6’1 forward made appearances for the Cameroonian Under-17 team in 2012, and is currently in the U-20 player pool.

The New York Red Bulls open the 2015 season on Sunday, March 8 on the road against Sporting Kansas City, with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1. The sixth season of soccer at Red Bull Arena kicks off on Sunday, March 22 when New York hosts rival D.C. United.